Bolton's American defender Tim Ream will have to fight harder for minutes.

Ream has cemented himself as a starting center back since December when Matt Mills went down with a thigh injury. However, new competition may see Ream's starting minutes in jeopardy.

Bolton signed West Brom defender Craig Dawson on a 93 day loan and Manager Dougie Freedman said he might make his debut this weekend against Watford. Dawson is expected to compete with Ream and his central defense partner Zat Knight.

Additionally, David Wheater, who has missed nine months with a ruptured ACL, is back in training and will suit up for the Bolton U21 team Friday against Manchester City.

Mills is expected to be healthy in a few weeks, adding further competition to a crowded defensive unit.

Bolton was active in the transfer window and signed midfielder Medo Kamara from Partizan Belgrade, young center back Cian Bolger from Leicester and Craig Davies from Barnsley. Bolger will go straight to the U21 team and Freedman admitted he's a long-term project.

Ream and Bolton have risen to 17th in the standings after being in the relegation zone in the Championship for much of the first half of the season. Bolton's next match is against Burnley at the Reebok on Saturday, February 9th.